Integral Mixing Unit for Faucets with Thermostatic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixer tap cartridges require complex and costly assembly with additional thermostatic modules, involving multiple parts and sealing means, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs, while also risking water leaks.

Innovation Solution

A unified mixing unit with a common part connecting the additional box and mixing chamber, eliminating the need for separate assembly and sealing, featuring a set of mixing discs, a control lever, and integrated thermostatic means for temperature regulation, allowing for a single-piece manufacturing and simplified installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate additional box is fitted against the cartridge to provide thermostatic means, then temperature control function is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to multiple parts and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control functionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the thermostatic means directly into the cartridge body, merging previously separate components (cartridge and additional box) into a single unified structure. The thermostatic element is positioned within the cartridge to directly actuate the shutter mechanism, eliminating the need for separate assembly of an additional box and reducing the number of parts and sealing interfaces required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate additional box is fitted against the cartridge, then temperature control function is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional sealing means and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thermostatic means are integrated into the cartridge body, eliminating the need for separate assembly of an additional box. This reduces manufacturing cost by removing the need for additional sealing means and simplifying the assembly process into a single unit that can be manufactured more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple sealing means are provided between the cartridge and additional box, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the thermostatic means directly into the cartridge body, the patent eliminates the interface between the cartridge and an additional box. This removes the need for multiple sealing means, reducing both device complexity and the number of parts while maintaining sealing reliability through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If numerous parts and sealing means are used in the cartridge assembly, then functional completeness is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates all necessary functional components (mixing discs, thermostatic means, shutter mechanism) into a single cartridge assembly. This unified structure maintains functional completeness while improving ease of manufacture by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the number of parts required, and ensures effective temperature control without the need for additional sealing, making the mixer tap easier to produce and assemble while preventing water leaks.

Implementation Method 1

thermostatic means making it possible, when the temperature of the mixed flow exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to close off the passage of hot water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermostatic detection:

Implementation Method 2

channels are formed to allow the admission of cold and hot water flows within the cartridge, with a more or less high flow rate, and thus cause their mixing to the formation of mixed flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3449332B1Mixing unit and mixing faucet comprising the same

Publication Date: 2020.12.02 VERNET SA

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AI summary

The invention relaters to a mixing unit (2) for a mixer tap (1) which has a generally cylindrical shape defining a main axis (X4) and comprising a cartridge (11), including a mixing chamber (27) crossed by the main axis, the mixing chamber comprising intakes (41) for incoming streams (C2) and an outlet (43) for an outgoing stream (M3). The mixing unit comprises mixing means (13) for mixing the incoming streams in order to form the outgoing stream, contained in the mixing chamber, and an additional housing (15), extending out of the mixing chamber. According to the invention, the mixing unit (2) comprises an integral common part (46), which defines the mixing chamber (27) while forming at least one portion of the additional housing (15). The common part (46) forms a separation wall (45) between the cartridge and the additional housing, extending in a plane orthogonal to the main axis (X4), the intakes and the outlet being arranged through the separation wall.